Letter - Volunteer for lifesaving mission

To the editor:

April 15-21 is National Volunteer Week. As a staff member for the American Cancer Society, I’d like to recognize and personally thank the hundreds of volunteers in the Douglas County communities who give their time, their expertise, and their resources to bring hope to those touched by cancer.

Throughout the American Cancer Society’s 98-year history, volunteers have done whatever it takes to help ensure the disease is powerless to steal another year from anyone’s life. Society volunteers help people stay well by encouraging friends and family to eat healthy, be physically active and get recommended cancer screenings. They help people get well by offering support to cancer patients and their loved ones. They help us find cures by funding research that helps us better understand, prevent and cure cancer. They fight back against cancer by calling their elected officials to tell them fighting cancer should be a top priority.

In 2011, volunteers in Douglas County have contributed to raising nearly $144,000 through Relay For Life and Daffodil Days. Those efforts, along with community support allowed the society to serve more than 50 Douglas County community members with more than 120 requests for information and services, including more than 140 nights of lodging.

This week and beyond, I hope you’ll join us in pursuit of the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission. I can’t think of anything more fulfilling than knowing I help save lives from cancer. Learn how you can save lives while fulfilling your own by volunteering for the American Cancer Society. Call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org/volunteer.

Kayla Hawkinson

Chokio, MN

Tags: opinion, letters